Electrical connectors



Dec. 3, 1963 w. w. HAMEL 3,

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS Filed Oct. 31, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 3, 1963 w. w. HAMEL 3,112,915

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;- 31, 1960 E I IIIIIIIIIIIII United States Patent 3,112,)75 ELECTRICAL CGNNECTQRS. William W. Hamel, New York, N31. (3215 Netherland Ave, Riverdale 63, FLY.) Filed Oct. 31, 1966, Ser. No. 65,983 6 (Ilaims. (Qt. 339-89) This invention relates generally to electrical connectors and more particularly to those which are for outdoor use subject to the weather, or subject to other adverse conditions.

In many electrical installations, as'for example for the transmission of power or communications, the points of initiation and termination are subject to many and frequent changes. Thus, for example, when a line is to be extended the cable ends have to be added to, and where the line is to be shortened cable ends have to be disconnected. Such cables are frequently exposed with the likelihood of cable or connector damage either by being trod upon, run over, or the like. Damage is also likely when the connectors are accidentally dropped.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide novel and useful electric cable connector structure which satisfies the foregoing problems.

Another object herein lies in the provision of electrical connector structure of the class described which is capable of rapid manual connection and disconnection under wide temperature ranges and weather conditions.

Another object of the present invention lies in the provision of connectors which are protected from damage while in storage or while in a disconnected state.

Still another object of the present invention lies in the provision of connectors which will maintain a proper connection under moist or wet conditions, indoors or outdoors.

These objects, and other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a central longitudinal section, partly fragmented, showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fl rURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of a portion of the structure in FIGURE 1 with the shield element and associated structure in a retracted position.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the connector as seen from the plane 3-3 on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of another connector which may be joined to the end shown in FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary exploded elevational view.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view as seen from the plane 6-6 on FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is .a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 7-? on FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing two connector elements as interconnected.

In accordance with the invention, the connector, gen erally indicated by reference character It), comprises broadly a body 12; a shield element 14; a contact element or contact carrying member 16; a shield spring 18; a cable retainer element 2%; a spring-retaining closure 22;

3,1 123% Patented Dec. 3, i963 "ice 2 a cable guard 24; a closure cap 26; and a leash member 28.

The contact element 16 is preferably composed of resilient insulating material, as for example natural rubber,

neoprene (synthetic rubber), synthetic resin, or the like,

and is of generally cylindrical configuration with a peripheral band 39, and is retained in the forward portion of the body 12 by the externally threaded circular nut 31 which engages the threads 32. The forward surface 33 is provided with a projection 34 and a recess 35. The rojection 34- is preferably integral with the body of the contact element 16. The projection 34 on opposite surfaces thereof is provided with the contact members 36 and 37 while the recess 35 has correspondingly arranged contact members 38 and C59. As will more fully appear, the members 36-39, inclusive, are adapted to form electrical connection with the corresponding members 136 139 on a mating connector lit) (FIGURE 4). Encircling the outer edge of the surface 33 and projecting axially therefrom is a sealing rim member 40 which, when the two connectors are mated, is adapted to make a watertight seal, and an airtight seal as well, against the corresponding rim 140.

Extending rearwardly from the contact element 16 are a plurality of conductors 41 which go to make up the cable 25, the latter being securely engaged by the cable retainer element 2% the forward end 21 of which is held in position by the externally threaded nut 21' which engages the inner surface of the rear of the body 12. The cable-retainer element 20 is enclosed within the cable guard 24, the latter being held within the spring-retaining closure 22. which serves also as the rear support for the spring 1%.

While I have shown the invention in connection with a cable containing four independent conductors, as Will be obvious to those skilled in theart to which the present invention relates, the number of conductors may be increased or decreased to suit the particular requirements.

The body 12 is of irregular configuration, best seen in the drawings, having a forward enlarged portion 42, a shoulder 43, a rear portion 44, a pair of cutouts 4-5 and 46, thread portions 47 and 48; an annular race 49, angular ways 50, rectilinear ways 51, and a threaded shank 52. The cutouts 45 and 46 are unsymmetrically arranged in such manner that the mating connector has the thread portions 147 and l t-S insertable therein so that said thread portions 14-7 and 14-3 come into suitable alignment, thereby being adapted to be engaged by the thread 54 on the interior wall of the lining sleeve 53 of the shield element 14. When the parts are thus engaged, there is a strong mechanical connection which completely encloses the electrical connection obtained by the junctures of the contact members -139 and 3649.

The shield element 14 consists of the lining sleeve 53, which is preferably fabricated from corrosion-proof metal, and the outer insulating jacket 55, which is composed of resilient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or synthetic resin. The jacket 55 is preferably secured to the outer surface of the lining sleeve 53 by vulcanizing or forming the same in place, and longitudinal movement of the jacket with respect to the lining is prevented by the several shoulders radiating from the sleeve 53. The forward end of the jacket 55 is in the form of a flexible resilient annular lip 56, which, in the engaged interconnection of a pair of connectors and 110, forms a seal ng abutment against the corresponding lip 156.

Pro ecting inwardly from the lining sleeve 53 is an integral ring 57 which has rotatably mounted therein a plurality of balls 53 which are adapted to ride within the race 4-9, or the angular ways 50 or the rectilinear ways 51. Normally, there is sutficient lateral clearance in the race 49 and the ways 50 and 51 to allow a relatively free movement of the shield element 14 under the expansive pressure of the shield spring 18, and particularly in the race 49 there is suflicient clearance so that the threads 54 may engage the threads 147 and 1148 on the opposite connector.

The present connector may also be used to make a connection with a corresponding connector (not shown) which lacks a movable shield element but which may nevertheless possess suitable contact members and thread portions such as, for example, the thread portions indicated at 47a and 48a on the closure cap 26. The closure cap 26 is preferably a casting of synthetic resin includ ing a hollow cylindrical body 59 with a closing wall 66 a flange 61 with a chamfered portion 62. In the nested or closed position wherein the closure cap 26 has its threads 47a and 48a engaged by the threads 54 on the shield element 14, the lip 55 presses up against the chamfered portion 62 and may extend up upon the flange 61 to produce a tight air and watertight connection.

The forward end of the closure cap 26 is preferably provided with a polygonal outer surface 63 and a correspondingly arranged polygonal inner socket 6 so that where desired suitable wrenches may be used to produce even greater compression of the resilient portions of the device to affect sealing. The closure cap 26 is provided with an annular groove 65 in which is secured the leash member 23 which is similarly connected to the spring-retaining closure 22.

In use, therefore, for example, the closure cap 26 may be released by turning the same in a counterclockwise direction, thereby disconnecting the threads 47a and 48a from the threads 54 on the shield element 1 3. The closure cap 26 may be dropped but the same will not be lost because of the connection atforded by the leash member 28. Next, the shield element 14 is pulled to the right as viewed in FIGURE 1, whereupon the parts will take the position shown in FIGURE 2, the spring 18 having been compressed. As the shield element 14 is retracted, the balls 53 go first into the angular ways 50 and then into the rectilinear Ways 51, which causes the threads 54 to go through an unscrewing direction of motion. Next, with the shield element held in the retracted position thereof, the desired other connector is brought into position with the threads 47a and 48:: or 147 and 148 placed into the cutouts 45 and 46. Now the shield element is allowed to be pressed forward by the spring 18, which not only projects the shield element 14 axially but also provides the beginning of the twisting motion necessary to engage the threads 54 on the corresponding threads of the mating part.

It should also be noted that if because of haste, carelcssness, or emergency it becomes necessary to let go of the connector it), closure cap 26, the action of the spring 18 will be sufiiciently rapid to project the lip 56 forward so that the same will act as a cushion when the connector 1t} hits the ground or other surface. Furthermore, the shield element 14 will continue to protect the inner parts of the connector from excessive exterior pressures.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construct-ion shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

I claim:

1. Electrical cable connector construction comprising: a generally cylindrical body; a shield element axially and rotationally movable on said body; a contact carrying .4 member disposed within said body and having contact members in unsymmetrical relationship; said body having an annular race; an angular way communicating with said race; a rectilinear way communicating with said angular way; said shield element having a projection riding in said ways and race; whereby movement of said shield element is controlled by the coaction of the projection in the race and ways in the body; said shield element in the position in which the projection is disposed within said race extending beyond said contact element.

2. Structure as claimed in claim 1 and including a spring normally urging said shield element in a direction to cover the contact carrying member when the projection on the shield is disposed in said annular race.

3. In a threaded type electrical cable connector construction, including a generally cylindrical body, a shield element having internal threads thereon axially and rotationally movable on said body, a contact clement disposed within said body, and a contact carrying member, the improvement comprising: said cylindrical body having an annular race, an angularly disposed way communicating with said race at an acute angle, a rectilinear way extending parallel to the principal axis of said body and communicating at one end thereof with said angularly disposed way, said shield element having a projection riding in said race and ways, resilient means urging said shield element in an axial direction toward said annular race, said projection upon entering said angularly disposed way imparting relative rotational motion between said shield and said body.

4. In a threaded type electrical cable connector construction, including a generally cylindrical body, a shield element having internal threads thereon axially and rotationally movable on said body, a contact element disposed within said body, and a contact carrying member, the improvement comprising: said cylindrical body having an annular race, an angularly disposed way communicating with said race at an acute angle, a rectilinear way extending parallel to the principal axis of said body and communicating at one end thereof with said angularly disposed way, said shield element having a projection riding in said race and ways, resilient means urging said shield element in an axial direction toward said annular race, said projection upon entering said angularly disposed way imparting relative rotational motion between said shield element and said body, the directional pitch of said angular way corresponding to the directional pitch of the threads on said shield element.

5. In a threaded type electrical cable connector construction, including a generally cylindrical body, a shield element having internal threads thereon axially and rotationally movable on said body, a contact element disposed within said body, and a contact carrying member, the improvement comprising: said cylindrical body having an annular race, a plurality of angularly disposed ways each communicating with said race at an acute angle, a corresponding plurality of rectilinear ways each extending parallel to the principal axis of said body and communicating at one end thereof with one of said plurality of angularly disposed ways, said shield element having a corresponding plurality of projections riding in said race and ways, resilient means urging said shield element in an axial direction toward said annular race, said projections upon entering said angularly disposed ways imparting relative rotational motion between said shield element and said body.

'6. In a threaded type electrical cable connector construction, including a generally cylindrical body, a shield element having internal threads thereon axially and retationally movable on said body, a contact element disposed within said body, and a contact carrying member, the improvement comprising: said cylindrical body having an annular race, a plurality of angularly disposed ways each communicating with said race at an acute an glc, a corresponding plurality of rectilinear ways each extending parallel to the principal axis of said body and communicating at one end thereof with one of said plurality of angularly disposed ways, said shield element having a corresponding plurality of projections riding in said race and ways, resilient means urg'mg said shield element in an axial direction toward said annular race, said projections upon entering said angularly disposed ways imparting relative rotational motion between said shield element and said body, the directional pitch of said angular ways corresponding to the directional pitch of the threads on said shield element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sprague Nov. 8, 1904 Modrey July 6, 1948 Simpson et a1. Nov. 4, 1952 Testori Apr. 1, 1958 Swan et a1. Apr. 8, 1958 Archer et a1 Apr. 14, 1959 Harris June 23, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS France Oct. 5, 1931 France Mar. 9, 1955 

1. ELECTRICAL CABLE CONNECTOR CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING: A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL BODY; A SHIELD ELEMENT AXIALLY AND ROTATIONALLY MOVABLE ON SAID BODY; A CONTACT CARRYING MEMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BODY AND HAVING CONTACT MEMBERS IN UNSYMMETRICAL RELATIONSHIP; SAID BODY HAVING AN ANNULAR RACE; AN ANGULAR WAY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID RACE; A RECTILINEAR WAY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID ANGULAR WAY; SAID SHIELD ELEMENT HAVING A PROJECTION RIDING IN SAID WAYS AND RACE; WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF SAID SHIELD ELEMENT IS CONTROLLED BY THE COACTION OF THE PROJECTION IN THE RACE AND WAYS IN THE BODY; SAID SHIELD ELEMENT IN THE POSITION IN WHICH THE PROJECTION IS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID RACE EXTENDING BEYOND SAID CONTACT ELEMENT. 